Relay



April 16, 1946. v. WEBER 2,398,681

RELAY Filed Feb. 19, 194s 2 sheets-sheet i INVENTOR. Vieron WEBER.

ATTORNEK April 16, 1946. `V WEBER 2,398,681

` RELAY .Filed Feb. 19, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l III..."

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apnl, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y v2.39am y victor weber, Grammi., simu-*zo nob- Thermostat Company,

Yonngwood,

l2 Claims.

This invention relates to relays and, more particularly, to double-throw relays having a neutral position.

One object of the invention is to preclude simultaneous engagement ofboth sets of contacts in such devices.

Another object of the invention is to ensure return of the relay to neutralr position under normal conditions.

Another object of the invention is to assure successful operation of the relay where the gravity pull is greater than earth gravity.

Another object of the invention is to obviate undue wear on the contact faces while obtaining good electrical contact therebetween.

Other objects .and advantages will becomel apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fis. I is a plan view of the relay;

II is a sectiontaken on' the line IIf-II of F18. III is a partial section taken III-III of Fig. I;

Pig. IV is a front elevation:

F18. V is a section taken on the line V-V of Fis. II: and

Fls. VI is an end elevation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the relay structurel is carried upon a base Il of rectangular form having integral upturned sides l2 forming a channel section. The relay structure is adapted to be mounted on any suitable support by means of an integral upturned flange Il at one end which is provided with apertures Ii for the receptionof securing means for this purpose. Added rigidity may be given' to the flange Il by the provision of oppositely disposed lugsy Il projecting from the sides I2 and secured by soldering, riveting or other suitable means to the upturned flange Il.

The electromagnets of the double-throw relay of this invention are housed within the channel section and may y comprise identical parts to which .similar reference numerals have been given. Accordingly, the two cores 2l` of the mag.- net are secured to the base Il by screws!! in spaced apart relation and carry the usual coils 2l which extend substantially ush with the edges of the side portions I2. Surmounting each coil 24 is a sheet of insulating material 2l which on the line therethrough from the sides I2 and are riveted against metal support plates lll to prevent tearing of the insulating material.

also overlies the edges of the side portions l2.

The insulating sheets 20 thus extend transversely across the channel section and may be secured Secured to the upper surface of the sheets 28 by rivets I2 is a plurality of contact elements u, there being two such contacts for each insulating sheet 2l and secured thereto in spaced rela- ,tion on either side of the longitudinal axis of the sheets 2|. Each contact element I4 is preferably provided with an associated terminal Il for connection into the electrical circuit with which the relay is used. As the cores 2li of the electromagnet have their exposed surfaces 3l in substantially the same plane as the contacts u. the insulating sheets 26 are suitably perforated to permit the cores 2l to extend therethrough.

A plate Il extends across the upper surfaces 3l of both cores 2l and forms a common armature for the electromagnets. This plate or armature 4l is adapted to occupy a neutral position with respect to the electromagnets when both magnets are deenergized; `to engage one or the other of the cores 2l when either magnet is energised; but it is not permitted to engage both cores `2li simultaneously. To this end, the armature 4l is mounted on a support l2 in the form of a plate projecting normal to the base It and being provided with end prongs It by means of which it is secured in position on the base Il and side prongs 41 engaging the sides l2 to preclude tilting.

'Ihe amature support l2 also has a pair of projections 4I on the end opposite the base prongs ll locatedone on each side thereof and extending through apertures Il formed in the median portion of the armature III. The apertures a are made sumciently larger in area than the projections Il in order that the armature ll may both tilt and move bodily with respect to its support, although the latter movement is restricted as will hereinafter appear. Secured one on each side of the projections Il is a pair of angle strips Il, each having one side projecting 4outwardly from the` annsture support l2 and engagingthe exposed surface ofthe armature Il. The angle strips Il are so arranged, that when the surface of the armature l0 is in contact therewlth,.the underside of the amature is slightly spaced from the top of the support 42. Owing to the clearance provided at this point, and also betweenthe projections 4I and the apertures 4i as described.. the armature It may tilt or rock about the support l2 4whenattracted by one or the other of the electromagnets. The outwardlyi projecting sides of the angle strips 48 provide spaced fulcrums for such movement.

The armature 40 is normally retained in a neutral position with the opposite ends thereof spaced substantially equal distances from the two core surfaces 38, by a pair of coil springs 50 which extend oneither side of the support 42 between the underside of the armature 40 and the edge of thel sides I2. The coil springs 50 may be prevented from bodily shift by cupped washers .52 located at each end of the springs and secured to the armature 40 and the sides i2, respectively. Thus. the springs normally bias the armature 40 toward the fulcrums provided therefor by the angle strips 48 until the armature is attracted by one or the other of the electromagnets, whereupon the springs 50 yield to permit pivotal movement of the armature 4D. As the armature 40 is pivotally mounted at its median portion about the support 42 it is in sub-A stantial balance. This feature is referred to more in detail hereinafter. The pivotal movement of the armature 40 always occurs about the fulcrum on the far side of the support 42 from the magnet which attracts it. The springs 50 which are thus between the fulcrum and the attracting magnet, tend to urge the armature to neutral position where both fulcrums engage it.

The four contacts 34 forming the fixed contacts of the relay are adapted to be engaged by a pair of movable contacts 56 associated with the armature 40. Each of the amature contacts 56 is of sufficient area to span the two associated xed contacts 34 and is attached by a rivet 54 for rocking motion on an insulating strip 58 extending beyond the end of the armature 40 at each end thereof so that the contacts 56 overlie the contacts 34. Each insulating strip is carried on a bracket 60 secured to a pair of upturned lugs 62 on each end of the armature 40 by means of a pin 64 extending therebetween. The brackets 50 and the insulating strips 58 forming the contact arms of the assembly are thus adapted for pivotal movement with respect to the armature 4I) although also movable therewith upon pivbar which is fastened in suitable apertures in the upturned lugs S8. The portion of these brackets 60 from which the upturned lugs 66 are formed leaves a clearance opening 12 for the spring 68 and bar 10. Pivotal movement of the brackets 60 under pressure of spring E8 is restricted by engagement of a depending flange 14 forming a stop element on each bracket which engages with the adjacent end of the armature 40. It is to be observed that the contact arms 58, 60 are pivoted at the median portions and are therefore individually balanced on the armature 40. As previously noted the armature itself is balanced about support 42. Thus, in addition to the individual balancing of the contact arms, these elements and the armature are jointly balanced.

When either of the electromagnets is energized, the related end of the armature 40 will be attracted toward the core 20, causing rocking movement of the armature relative to the support 42. The angle strip 48 located on the side opposite to the attracted side of the armature acts as a fulcrum for this rocking movement. Both in engaging and separating from fixed contacts I4,

the movable contacts 54 undergo slight sliding l motion thereacross. This wiping action is effected by pivoting of the bracket 60 and compression of the spring 68 when the contacts engage. Thus, upon suflicient rocking motion of the armature 40 the contacts associated with one end thereof will become engaged and close the circuit through the terminals 36. Upon deenergization of the electromagnet the armature 40 is released and springs return it to the neutral position, unless the other electromagnet of thepair is energized to rock the armature in the other direction. The wiping motion of the contacts 54 upon separating from contacts 34 serves to break any weld which may have been created between them and cleans the contact surface upon making contact.

The relay of this invention nds a wide field of usefulness and is particularly adapted for use on aircraft where conditions encountered in flight result in gravity pulls far greater than the normal earth gravity. The entire movable part of the assembly comprising the armature 40 and attached contactv arms 58, is substantially balanced as a unit. In addition to the balancing of the assembled parts, the individual contact arms 58, 60 are also substantially balanced. During high speed flight the relay operates normally and excess gravity pull cannot disturb the usual functioning due to the novel construction. It will be apparent that the balancing feature could be applied to single relays as distinguished from the double-throw type described and shown by providing a counterweight in place of the armature portion and take-up arm on one side of the central support 42.

It will be apparent that the relay contacts engage and disengage in such manner that undue wear upon the contact faces is avoided and the life of these elements is prolonged. The contact arms can be adjusted to give a large amount of take-up movement. wear considerably before the relay ceases to operate. The common armature can only rock about its support and is positively prevented from moving bodily to engage the fixed and movable contacts simultaneously. It will be understood that various changes can be made in the arrangement and combination of parts and in the details of construction herein disclosed within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A relay comprising spaced electromagnets, a common armature for said magnets, separate contacts carried on one side of said armature at opposite ends thereof, stationary contacts adapted to be engaged by said armature contacts, means for supporting said armature intermediate said ends thereof, spaced fulcrums engageable with said armature on a side opposite said armature contacts and being positioned in proximate relation to said supporting means, and yieldable means cooperating with said fulcrums for pivotal movement of said armature about one or another of said fulcrums to engage said contacts at which-l ever end of said armature is most distant from said engaged fulcrum, said supporting means being adapted for limiting bodily movement of said armature and preventing simultaneous engagement of said contacts.

2. A relay comprising spaced electromagnets, a common armature for said magnets, separate contacts carried by said armature at opposite ends thereof, stationary contacts adapted to be engaged by said armature contacts. a support for said armature intermediate said ends and pro- Therefore, the contacts canA :,soaesi jectingtherethrough, means carried by said projection providing spaced vfulcrums engageable with said armature for pivotal movement of said amature about one orfanother of said fulcrums, and means for maintaining said armature normally in neutral position engaging both 'of said spaced fulcrums but being yieldable to` permit said pivotal vmovement to engage said contacts at whichever end of said armature is most distant from said engaged fulcrum, said support being adapted for limiting movement of said armature to engage said contacts to said pivotal movement only.

3. A relay comprising spaced electromagnets, a support between said magnets, an armature carried intermediate its ends on said support and overlying said magnets, said armature being movable with respect to said support when attracted by said magnets, lug portions projecting from said support through apertures in said armature and restraining longitudinal and lateral movement thereof with respect to said magnets, abutment means carried by said lugs overlying said armature and restraining movement thereof axially of said magnets, said abutment means providing spaced fulcrums for pivotal movement of said armature when attracted by one or another of said magnets, and yieldable means urging said armature into engagement with said abutment means and preventing disengagement thereof from that said fulcrum which is most distant from the attracting magnet upon said pivotal movement.

4. A relay comprising a pair of electromagnets spaced one from the other, a common armature for said magnets, separate contacts carried by said armature at opposite ends thereof and insulated therefrom, stationary contacts mounted on said magnets and insulated therefrom, a support extending between said magnets and projecting through said armature intermediate the ends thereof, said armature being thereby restrained from lateral and longitudinal movement with respect to said magnets, abutment means carried on the projecting portion of said support and providing spaced fulcrums for pivotal movement of said armature when attracted by one or another of said magnets, and yieldable means urging said armature into engagement with said abutment means and preventing disengagement thereof from that said fulcrum which is most distant'from the attracting magnet upon said pivotal movement to engage said separate contacts individually with said stationary contacts, said support being adapted for preventing simultaneous engagement of said separate contacts with said stationary contacts.

5. A relay comprising a base, a pair of electromagnets secured side-by-side on said base, a pair of stationary contacts for each magnet insulated therefrom and carried on said base, a plate overlying both magnets and forming a common armature therefor, a pair of contacts carried at each end of said plate and insulated therefrom, each contact pair overlying one pair of stationary contacts associated with each magnet, a rigid support extending from said base between said magnets and about which said plate is adapted to rock from a neutral position substantially normal to said support, said support providing spaced relation between said plate and magnets in said neutral position and in which said contacts are disengaged, a lug at each end of said support projecting through apertures therein and restraining lateral and longitudinal movement rela.-

tive to said base. bar portions carried on opposite faces of said lugextending laterally of said plate and providing spaced fulcrums, said fulcrums being individually engageable with said plate for rocking movement thereof'from neutral position to engage the contact pairs at whichever end of the plate is most distant from said engaged fulcrum, coil springs extending from said base to the underside of said plate at each end of said support, said springs urging said plate into the neu-4 tral position against said bar portions and being yieldable to permit said rocking movement when the plate is attracted by one or the other of said magnets. i i

6. A relay comprising a base, a pair of electromagnets mounted side-by-side on said base, a plate overlying said magnets and forming a common amature therefor, a rigid support extending from said base between said magnets and about which Said Plate is adapted to rock toward one or the other of said. magnets, means for completing an electric circuit when said plate is rocked. comprising contact elements associated with said plate and base, said base contacts being fixedly mounted on insulation and surmounting said magnets beyond the ends of said plate, a pair or brackets pivotally mounted one at each end of said plate, insulating means carried by said brackets and projecting beyond the ends of said plate, said plate contacts being loosely mounted. on said insulating means `for operative engagement with said base contacts. and yieldable means extending between said brackets and compressible thereby for sliding said plate contacts across said base contacts upon engagement therewith.

'7. A relay comprising spaced electromagnets, a common armature for said magnets, a support for said armature intermediate thev ends thereof and projecting therethrough, means carried by said projection providing spaced fulcrums for pivotal movement of said armature toward one or another of said magnets, means for maintaining said armature normally in neutral position engaging said separate fulcrums but being yieldable to permit said pivotal movement, said support being adapted for limiting movement of said armature to said pivotal movement from neutral position, means for completing an electric circuit when said armature completes said pivotal movement, comprising separate contact elements at each end of said armature and adapted for engagement with separate iixed contact elements, means for pivotally mounting said armature contacts at opposite ends of said armature, and yieldable means extending longitudinally of said armature and compressible between said mounting means for sliding said armature contacts across said fixed contacts upon engagement therewith.

8. A relay comprising an electromagnet, an armature for said magnet, a support upon which said amature is pivotally mounted at one end thereof to overlie said magnet, a contact arm pivotally mounted on said armature, means for substantially oounterbalancing said amature and contact arm jointly on said support, and means for substantially counterbalancing said contact arm individually on said amature.

9. A relay comprising an electromagnet, an amature for said magnet, a support upon which said amature is pivotally mounted at one end thereof to overlie said magnet, a contact arm pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said armature and extending therebeyond, means for substantially counterbalancing said amature and contact arm jointly on said support, and means ior substantially counter-balancing said contact arm individually on said amature.

10. A relay comprising an electromasnet. an armature for said magnet, a support upon which' said armature is pivotally mounted at one end thereof to overlie said magnet, a stationary contact element beyond the end of said armature. a bracket pivotally mounted on the opposite end of said armature and extending therebeyond, a contact element carried on said bracket and overlying said stationary contact, said bracket and the contact carried thereby constituting a substantially balanced contact arm pivoted at the median portion thereof, and means extending on the side of said support opposite said armature and connected thereto for substantially counterbalancing said amature and contact arm jointly;

ll. A relay comprising spaced electromagnets. a common armature for said magnets, means for supporting said amature intermediate the ends thereof for rocking movement toward one or the other oi said magnets, a contact arm pivotally mounted at each end oi said amature, `said ar# a,sos,es1

mature and contact arms jointly being in substantial balance on each side oi' said support, and counterbalancing portions on said contact arms for placing said arms individuali in substantial balance on each side oi' said pivotal mounting.

12. A relay comprising spaced electromagnets, a support between said magnets, an amature carried intermediate its ends on said support and overlying said magnets, said armature being mov. able with respect to said support when attracted by said magnets, means carried by said support providing spaced iulcx'umsl on either side thereof for pivotal movement o! said armature, and yieldable means normally maintaining said armature in engagement with said fulcrums until attracted by one or the other of said magnets. whereupon said armaturepivots about the fulcrum on that side of said support most distant from the attracting magnet and against the pressure exerted by said yieldable means on the side of the support nearest to said magnet.

VICTOR WEBER. 

